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Lions’ points advantage was soon eroded as the Robins were ahead at the end of the fifth race and further extended their lead in the next heat after Leicester captain Danny King touched the tapes when he was under starter’s orders.

In the re-run, King was replaced by Newman but Bates was also excluded.

The double disqualification left Newman to fend for himself against Jason Doyle and Adam Ellis, but he was unable to make an impression and trailed in third behind the home pairing.

By the end of the eighth heat, the Watling JCB Lions were behind by 10 points and King was nominated to try for double points.

The decision to play the tactical card was working out as Bates was ahead of King with Tobiasz Musielak in close attendance and David Bellego at the back.